Man gets life sentence for peddling 155 rolls of bhang

Emmanuel Chacha (standing) when he appeared before a Mombasa court for peddling 155 rolls of bhang. PHOTO |

By BRIAN OCHARO

A drug peddler accused of trafficking 155 rolls of bhang worth Sh23, 250 has been jailed for life. Emmanuel Chacha was convicted after pleading guilty of committing the offence on May 14 at Likoni ferry.

While delivering the judgement, Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Edga Kagoni said drug menace has rendered many youth from the region unproductive hence those found peddling the narcotics should be kept away from the public.

“I have considered the accused mitigations, but this offence is serious considering the quantity of the substance, the suspect is aware that drug menace has caused more harm to young people and rendered them unproductive,” he said.

The magistrate noted that the quantity of the bhang suggested that they had a designated destination and that they were intended to bring harm to the youth, who are the ready market for the substance.

“People like you need to be kept away from the public to act as a warning to those already in the business and as a deterrent to those planning to engage in the business,” he said.

“For the offence you are charged with, I therefore sentenced you to life imprisonment, you have the right to appeal against the sentence within 14 days,” the magistrate ruled.

PLEADED GUILTY

The suspects pleaded guilty to the charge, saying that he had just ventured into the business and was willing to quit.

Mr Chacha confessed that he had just arrived with the narcotics from Migori when he was arrested at the Likoni ferry by guards manning the security screening areas.

The police said the suspect was nabbed at the screening area with the substance stashed in two safari bags.

“I had come from Migori and was heading to town, I plead with the court to have mercy on me, I will not touch narcotics for the rest of my life,” the suspect pleaded.

When asked to defend himself after pleading guilty to the offence, emotions overcome Mr Chacha who burst into tears begging the magistrate to pardon him saying he is an orphan and was providing for his siblings.

“I have reformed your honour, I am an orphan and my siblings depend on me. There is no point lying to this court, I had just started the business but from today henceforth I will not touch narcotics again,” he pleaded with the court.

But his plea fell on deaf ears as the magistrate proceeded to jail him for life, saying the offence was serious and that the harsh punishment served to send warning signals to others doing the same business.